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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of INR 1 lakh on the Union Ministry of Urban Development for failing to appear at a scheduled hearing related to a sewage treatment plant (STP) matter in Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun district. The tribunal noted that despite receiving notice, the ministry remained absent, leading to an unnecessary adjournment. Stressing that government bodies have a constitutional duty to participate in environmental proceedings, the NGT granted the ministry another opportunity to respond, subject to payment of the cost.
The National Green Tribunal has imposed a cost of INR 1 lakh on the Union Ministry of Urban Development for not appearing before it in a case concerning a sewage treatment plant in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh. The matter relates to environmental compliance issues linked to the STP, for which notices had been issued to the Union government, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Advertisement
While representatives from other concerned authorities were present, the Urban Development Ministry did not attend the hearing despite the notice having been duly served. The tribunal observed that the absence resulted in an avoidable adjournment and delayed the consideration of environmental concerns raised in the case.
The bench, headed by NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, stated that proceedings before the tribunal cannot be treated as routine adversarial litigation where parties may choose to remain absent. It underlined that the Union government, state governments and their departments carry constitutional and statutory responsibilities to ensure environmental protection and are expected to assist the tribunal by being properly represented.
The tribunal noted that non-appearance by a central ministry hampers the effective resolution of environmental disputes, particularly those involving public infrastructure such as sewage treatment plants, which have a direct impact on water quality and public health. To discourage such conduct, the NGT imposed an exemplary cost on the ministry.
At the same time, the tribunal allowed the Urban Development Ministry another opportunity to place its response on record and participate in further proceedings. This relief was made conditional upon the payment of the INR 1 lakh cost. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for April 10.
The NGT also directed that the amount recovered be utilised for providing legal aid to litigants who appear without legal representation and for improving facilities for those attending the tribunal. In earlier cases as well, the tribunal has followed a similar approach, using imposed costs to strengthen access to justice while enforcing accountability among public authorities.
Source PTI
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